Gator Pam

I hope this thread stays active, as posters share their hints and clearance finds at Target. I've been Perimeter Perusing Target for about three years now, and find it helps me get through from one BF to the following year. As many of you know, the Brick and Mortar store Target is known for their terrific clearance deals. You may have noticed that although the sticker price, including the reddish orange clearance stickers, says one price, that many times the items scan for less. It could be better for you if the item is priced higher and does scan less. Many shoppers do not realize this and pass the item by. Also, many times an item is not marked clearance in any way and I would suggest if you are interested in an item that you take it to the nearest scanner and check the price that comes up. The standard clearance at Target works by items being marked down 15% or 30% initially. This price can last somewhere between two weeks to a month, depending on how well the item sells at this price. Then the item typically drops to 50%, again for two weeks to a month. Generally, the lowest an item will be marked down is 75% off, with a few exceptions. Items considered 'holiday' or 'seasonal' items have been known to go as low as 90% after the holiday, and you will find a few occasional display items or things found in the stockroom after inventory marked 80%-90% off. Almost always, the lowest price an item will go will usually end in $.x4 or $.x8, but not always. A markdown schedule for the seasonal or holiday clearance is as follows: Traditional Holiday clearance schedule 50% off day after holiday for three days 75% off fourth day after holiday for three days 90% off seventh day after holiday for 1-2 days. Other than Chr-stmas this is the schedule used for holiday clearance, including Valentine's Day, Easter, Summerville, and Halloween, for at least the last two years Also, Target is the only store I have found where many, although not all, of the cashiers seem to have the ability to bargain on a price when an item doesn't scan with one. There are times when an item will scan as 'clearance + tax'. Be happy in these situations instead of groaning. Sometimes the cashier can do a price over ride sort of thing to find the most recent lowest price, but sometimes if you say 'I'll take it for (whatever 75% off the marked retail price would be)' they'll just key that in. It's always worth a shot. Same thing applies for an item that scans 'NOF' (Not on file). This means the item is so old that it is completely out of the computer system. Again, I would try offering the 75% off the retail price, but if necessary a price can usually be looked up at the Guest Services Desk. However, if an item has gone 'salvage,' this may backfire on you. In this instance, Target marks the item back up to full retail value, before pulling it from the shelves and donating it to a charity, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army for a tax write off. this is how Target claims to donate so much to charity. The markdown teams in each store seems to keep to a standardized schedule, but there are stores that seem to have different ones. For those who do follow it the departmental mark down days are: ------- Mark Down Schedule ------- -Mon. -- Electronics, Kids Clothing and Stationary (Cards, GiftWrap, etc.) -Tues. -- Domestics, Women's Clothing, Pets and Market (food items) -Wed. -- Men's Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty, Lawn & Garden items -Thur. -- House Wares, Lingerie, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Movies, Music, Books, Decor and Luggage -Fri. -- Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, & Jewelry This schedule says nothing about weekend mark downs, but I have seen items change in price between a Saturday morning perimeter perusal and one done on a Sunday afternoon. I still haven't found any rhyme or reason to what gets marked down on those days though. Another part of the fun. Go to Target.com and see if there are any updates about new Target openings. Target does not have a lay-a-way, but diehard Perimeter Perusers have tried various methods of getting around this. Most are constantly debated on the various forums dedicated to this subject as far as being 'ethical' or not, I'll leave it for you to decide for yourself. When an item goes 50% off, and there are several left, some posters have said they find a 'hiding' place to put the item and they go back to see if the item is still there several weeks later to scan and see if it dropped in price. Some common hiding places shared is: In the middle of a round clothes rack, where all of the clothes hide the item. About a third of the way off the floor of a stack of pillows. Behind similar items, perhaps with newer packaging, on the proper shelf. Sometimes, when items are getting scarce at 50% off, posters will buy them at that price and hold on to the receipt. If they find the item later at 75% or 90% off, they will buy the item again, remove any clearance stickers that show the lower price, and return the item at another time with the older, higher priced receipt, as long as it is within the 90 day return period. Target initiated a new return policy in November of 2002 that says any 'seasonal' clearance items returned will be refunded at the current clearance price, even with a receipt! They updated the policy in April, 2003 to specify these items as Chr-stmas trees and decorations and Hallowe'en costumes and decorations. As far as I know, all other seasonal merchandise should be refunded at the price stated on the reciept. Other web sites to visit to find listed bargains are: Target UPC finds Freebies and Bargains I hope y'all find this information helpful, and would love to know of other Perimeter Perusers tricks that I may not have covered! I just learned something new on a different forum devoted to Target. I've now that the Target website puts out coupons to be printed and used at their SuperTarget stores, but I didn't know that if a regular Target carried the item you could use that coupon, a coupon from a Target circular if one happens to be out, and a manufacturers coupon all at the same time on one item. So, you can stack all three coupons on one item at either a Super or regular Target. Here an online site to print off SuperTarget coupons. Super Target Coupons Some times Wow coupons has target coupons to print off as well, but they seem to not have any at the moment.

I hope this thread stays active, as posters share their hints and clearance finds at Target. I've been Perimeter Perusing Target for about three years now, and find it helps me get through from one BF to the following year. As many of you know, the Brick and Mortar store Target is known for their terrific clearance deals. You may have noticed that although the sticker price, including the reddish orange clearance stickers, says one price, that many times the items scan for less. It could be better for you if the item is priced higher and does scan less. Many shoppers do not realize this and pass the item by. Also, many times an item is not marked clearance in any way and I would suggest if you are interested in an item that you take it to the nearest scanner and check the price that comes up. The standard clearance at Target works by items being marked down 15% or 30% initially. This price can last somewhere between two weeks to a month, depending on how well the item sells at this price. Then the item typically drops to 50%, again for two weeks to a month. Generally, the lowest an item will be marked down is 75% off, with a few exceptions. Items considered 'holiday' or 'seasonal' items have been known to go as low as 90% after the holiday, and you will find a few occasional display items or things found in the stockroom after inventory marked 80%-90% off. Almost always, the lowest price an item will go will usually end in $.x4 or $.x8, but not always. A markdown schedule for the seasonal or holiday clearance is as follows: Traditional Holiday clearance schedule 50% off day after holiday for three days 75% off fourth day after holiday for three days 90% off seventh day after holiday for 1-2 days. Other than Chr-stmas this is the schedule used for holiday clearance, including Valentine's Day, Easter, Summerville, and Halloween, for at least the last two years Also, Target is the only store I have found where many, although not all, of the cashiers seem to have the ability to bargain on a price when an item doesn't scan with one. There are times when an item will scan as 'clearance + tax'. Be happy in these situations instead of groaning. Sometimes the cashier can do a price over ride sort of thing to find the most recent lowest price, but sometimes if you say 'I'll take it for (whatever 75% off the marked retail price would be)' they'll just key that in. It's always worth a shot. Same thing applies for an item that scans 'NOF' (Not on file). This means the item is so old that it is completely out of the computer system. Again, I would try offering the 75% off the retail price, but if necessary a price can usually be looked up at the Guest Services Desk. However, if an item has gone 'salvage,' this may backfire on you. In this instance, Target marks the item back up to full retail value, before pulling it from the shelves and donating it to a charity, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army for a tax write off. this is how Target claims to donate so much to charity. The markdown teams in each store seems to keep to a standardized schedule, but there are stores that seem to have different ones. For those who do follow it the departmental mark down days are: ------- Mark Down Schedule ------- -Mon. -- Electronics, Kids Clothing and Stationary (Cards, GiftWrap, etc.) -Tues. -- Domestics, Women's Clothing, Pets and Market (food items) -Wed. -- Men's Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty, Lawn & Garden items -Thur. -- House Wares, Lingerie, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Movies, Music, Books, Decor and Luggage -Fri. -- Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, & Jewelry This schedule says nothing about weekend mark downs, but I have seen items change in price between a Saturday morning perimeter perusal and one done on a Sunday afternoon. I still haven't found any rhyme or reason to what gets marked down on those days though. Another part of the fun. Go to Target.com and see if there are any updates about new Target openings. Target does not have a lay-a-way, but diehard Perimeter Perusers have tried various methods of getting around this. Most are constantly debated on the various forums dedicated to this subject as far as being 'ethical' or not, I'll leave it for you to decide for yourself. When an item goes 50% off, and there are several left, some posters have said they find a 'hiding' place to put the item and they go back to see if the item is still there several weeks later to scan and see if it dropped in price. Some common hiding places shared is: In the middle of a round clothes rack, where all of the clothes hide the item. About a third of the way off the floor of a stack of pillows. Behind similar items, perhaps with newer packaging, on the proper shelf. Sometimes, when items are getting scarce at 50% off, posters will buy them at that price and hold on to the receipt. If they find the item later at 75% or 90% off, they will buy the item again, remove any clearance stickers that show the lower price, and return the item at another time with the older, higher priced receipt, as long as it is within the 90 day return period. Target initiated a new return policy in November of 2002 that says any 'seasonal' clearance items returned will be refunded at the current clearance price, even with a receipt! They updated the policy in April, 2003 to specify these items as Chr-stmas trees and decorations and Hallowe'en costumes and decorations. As far as I know, all other seasonal merchandise should be refunded at the price stated on the reciept. Other web sites to visit to find listed bargains are: Target UPC finds Freebies and Bargains I hope y'all find this information helpful, and would love to know of other Perimeter Perusers tricks that I may not have covered! I just learned something new on a different forum devoted to Target. I've now that the Target website puts out coupons to be printed and used at their SuperTarget stores, but I didn't know that if a regular Target carried the item you could use that coupon, a coupon from a Target circular if one happens to be out, and a manufacturers coupon all at the same time on one item. So, you can stack all three coupons on one item at either a Super or regular Target. Here an online site to print off SuperTarget coupons. Super Target Coupons Some times Wow coupons has target coupons to print off as well, but they seem to not have any at the moment.

I hope this thread stays active, as posters share their hints and clearance finds at Target. I've been Perimeter Perusing Target for about three years now, and find it helps me get through from one BF to the following year. As many of you know, the Brick and Mortar store Target is known for their terrific clearance deals. You may have noticed that although the sticker price, including the reddish orange clearance stickers, says one price, that many times the items scan for less. It could be better for you if the item is priced higher and does scan less. Many shoppers do not realize this and pass the item by. Also, many times an item is not marked clearance in any way and I would suggest if you are interested in an item that you take it to the nearest scanner and check the price that comes up. The standard clearance at Target works by items being marked down 15% or 30% initially. This price can last somewhere between two weeks to a month, depending on how well the item sells at this price. Then the item typically drops to 50%, again for two weeks to a month. Generally, the lowest an item will be marked down is 75% off, with a few exceptions. Items considered 'holiday' or 'seasonal' items have been known to go as low as 90% after the holiday, and you will find a few occasional display items or things found in the stockroom after inventory marked 80%-90% off. Almost always, the lowest price an item will go will usually end in $.x4 or $.x8, but not always. A markdown schedule for the seasonal or holiday clearance is as follows: Traditional Holiday clearance schedule 50% off day after holiday for three days 75% off fourth day after holiday for three days 90% off seventh day after holiday for 1-2 days. Other than Chr-stmas this is the schedule used for holiday clearance, including Valentine's Day, Easter, Summerville, and Halloween, for at least the last two years Also, Target is the only store I have found where many, although not all, of the cashiers seem to have the ability to bargain on a price when an item doesn't scan with one. There are times when an item will scan as 'clearance + tax'. Be happy in these situations instead of groaning. Sometimes the cashier can do a price over ride sort of thing to find the most recent lowest price, but sometimes if you say 'I'll take it for (whatever 75% off the marked retail price would be)' they'll just key that in. It's always worth a shot. Same thing applies for an item that scans 'NOF' (Not on file). This means the item is so old that it is completely out of the computer system. Again, I would try offering the 75% off the retail price, but if necessary a price can usually be looked up at the Guest Services Desk. However, if an item has gone 'salvage,' this may backfire on you. In this instance, Target marks the item back up to full retail value, before pulling it from the shelves and donating it to a charity, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army for a tax write off. this is how Target claims to donate so much to charity. The markdown teams in each store seems to keep to a standardized schedule, but there are stores that seem to have different ones. For those who do follow it the departmental mark down days are: ------- Mark Down Schedule ------- -Mon. -- Electronics, Kids Clothing and Stationary (Cards, GiftWrap, etc.) -Tues. -- Domestics, Women's Clothing, Pets and Market (food items) -Wed. -- Men's Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty, Lawn & Garden items -Thur. -- House Wares, Lingerie, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Movies, Music, Books, Decor and Luggage -Fri. -- Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, & Jewelry This schedule says nothing about weekend mark downs, but I have seen items change in price between a Saturday morning perimeter perusal and one done on a Sunday afternoon. I still haven't found any rhyme or reason to what gets marked down on those days though. Another part of the fun. Go to Target.com and see if there are any updates about new Target openings. Target does not have a lay-a-way, but diehard Perimeter Perusers have tried various methods of getting around this. Most are constantly debated on the various forums dedicated to this subject as far as being 'ethical' or not, I'll leave it for you to decide for yourself. When an item goes 50% off, and there are several left, some posters have said they find a 'hiding' place to put the item and they go back to see if the item is still there several weeks later to scan and see if it dropped in price. Some common hiding places shared is: In the middle of a round clothes rack, where all of the clothes hide the item. About a third of the way off the floor of a stack of pillows. Behind similar items, perhaps with newer packaging, on the proper shelf. Sometimes, when items are getting scarce at 50% off, posters will buy them at that price and hold on to the receipt. If they find the item later at 75% or 90% off, they will buy the item again, remove any clearance stickers that show the lower price, and return the item at another time with the older, higher priced receipt, as long as it is within the 90 day return period. Target initiated a new return policy in November of 2002 that says any 'seasonal' clearance items returned will be refunded at the current clearance price, even with a receipt! They updated the policy in April, 2003 to specify these items as Chr-stmas trees and decorations and Hallowe'en costumes and decorations. As far as I know, all other seasonal merchandise should be refunded at the price stated on the reciept. Other web sites to visit to find listed bargains are: Target UPC finds Freebies and Bargains I hope y'all find this information helpful, and would love to know of other Perimeter Perusers tricks that I may not have covered! I just learned something new on a different forum devoted to Target. I've now that the Target website puts out coupons to be printed and used at their SuperTarget stores, but I didn't know that if a regular Target carried the item you could use that coupon, a coupon from a Target circular if one happens to be out, and a manufacturers coupon all at the same time on one item. So, you can stack all three coupons on one item at either a Super or regular Target. Here an online site to print off SuperTarget coupons. Super Target Coupons Some times Wow coupons has target coupons to print off as well, but they seem to not have any at the moment.

I did not sing up for the Toy R Us 12 Days, as I hardly ever shop there. Is the link for online purchases or in-store? I don't have enough on my debit card to order online, there's no local branch of my bank here for me to make a deposit, and if in-store, I don't have a printer to print out a coupon. :-( We're 'doing Chr-stmas' tomorrow, but maybe if the Fly proucts remain on clearance after we get home, I can get some of it for Beorn's birthday.

We're 'doing Chr-stmas' tomorrow, after FIL arrive this afternoon. I plan to go do some last minute shopping nd take advantage of any sales. If I don't find anything, all of my wrapping is done, so I expect to be in bed by 11:00 or so. If I do find additional items, then wrapping of those will begin about that time.

B'sha Tovah!! Or, if the blessing has already arrived, Mazel Tov!!

Our's was very low key, as we haven't celebrated it (yet). FIL arrives around 2:00 pm today, and we'll do 'Chr-stmas' Eve tonight. He works graveyard shift, and would have just gotten off work at 8:00 am. Even though he's taking a nap before he heads up here, I didn't want to throw opening gifts on him when he arrives after a four hour drive. So tomorrow, after he's had a full night's sleep, will be our 'Chr-stmas' celebration for him. :)

Speaking of Dollar General... Is there a thread on their rebate program yet? If not, I'll start one based on an email I received.

Thanks, KC-Traderbear! My sister and her husband sent Beorn a Fly Pen for Hanukah (the one without the charger base), and I was hoping to find the Notebook, Algebra software, and chager on clearance somewhere. No Costco's around here at FIL's or Gator Town, that I know of... BTW, if you haven't read the thread about Extra Care Bucks at CVS, you need to get over there. Crissy's a great teacher on a method of bargain shopping I had never heard of before she started that thread. Based on everything I wrote above from information on the past three years, I personally think 75% off will be Saturday, December 30th. But again, with other stores opening tomorrow with seasonal clearance already at 75% off, that could all change.

Beorn usually crashes out at 9:00 pm, and we didn't want to pay holiday price for a sitter, so for the past 13 years Paul and I have stayed home and watched New Year's Rockin' Eve. At 13, Beorn could probably stay home alone that late ito the morning for us to go out, but this year we'll be renting a 14' u-Haul to move some stuff on the 31st. I doubt we'll even feel like staying up to midnight this year...

Well, now that I finally saw the ads for tomorrow, I'm second guessing myself. Too many stores are putting their holiday merchandise on 60% to 75% off starting tomorrow. I wonder if Target is going to follow suit... If you should notice any Fly Pen software or accessories on clearance, could you please post?

Woke up at 6:50 am. Beorn was awake at 7:00 am. But since 'Chr-stmas' is happening here until Wednesday we just went about our day.

Thank you so much everyone! And Jim, thanks for posting the links to the videos. When we get home and can get on a faster access computer at the public library (I'm also on dial-up at home, even though there my speed is 56 kps) I know I can come to this thread and click on the links to watch them.

Since we're not celebrating FIL's holiday until he arrives tomorrow evening, I had a chance to sit down and see if I could find a pattern to the following information from KC-Traderbear (thanks again, BTW!). Pretty much the same in Gator Town, although last year the seasonal items went 50% off mid-afternoon on the 24th. I believe you mean (after Chr-stmas 2003) 75% off began on January 2nd, 2004; on January 1st, 2005; and December 31st, 2005. So, those dates would translate to: January 2nd, 2004 – Friday January 1st, 2005 – Saturday December 31st, 2005 – Saturday It appears 75% off begins the weekend after Chr-stmas. I think in 2004, when it went on a Friday, that the markdowns kicked in mid-afternoon, but I may be remembering incorrectly. Based on that, unless we hear something definite somewhere, I would be at Target at opening both Friday, December 29th, and Saturday, December 30th, if it doesn’t go 75% off on Friday. I may also swing by mid-afternoon on Friday, just in case it’s not 75% off at opening, but is lowered mid-day. These should be January 7th, 2004; January 5th, 2005; and January 6th, 2006, I believe. These translate to: January 7th, 2004 – Wednesday January 5th, 2005 – Wedneday January 6th, 2006 – Friday Based on last year, I think Target may be trying to keep the merchandise at 75% off for a week before going 90% off. But they also kicked in the faster clearance schedule at some stores. I will be at Target at opening on Wednesday, January 3rd, but I am not expecting it to be 75% off that early. My guess is Friday, January 5th, based on the above schedule. Please keep in mind, this is all conjecture on my part. I may be totally off base… So, my guess would be: 50% off - December 26th, if it didn't already get marked down in the afternoon December 24th 75% off - December 29th or December 30th 90% off - possibly January 3rd or January 5th

<--- Santa's not stopping here until Tuesday night... But we still wanted to see him go by Cape Canaveral!

Wow, that's early, isn't it? :::running outside and looking dead east:::

Ditto!! Unless it's really pretty paper that looks pricey...

If I remember correctly from last year, those items that were going to follow the Chr-tmas markdown schedule went 50% off midafternoon at the Gator Town Target on Chr-stmas Eve last year. So, you might find something there today, should you head over...

Jim and Lucy, I just want to say thanks for doing this. I'm on dial-up at FIL's rural location. The fastest connection I can get is 26.4 kps. The NORAD site has been unavailable to us whenever we spend Chr-stmas here. But Beorn and I are finding your updates nearly as exciting. So again, thanks!

Uh-oh... I hope 75% off holds off until I'm back home on Friday. No Target close to FIL's...

Welcome to the GottaDeal forums, Sandy! Thanks for choosing this thread for your first post.

I think the website that posts the coupon booklet schedules says there are no coupons scheduled for either this or next Sunday...

Although Gator Town isn't as large, the same applies here...

Most seasonal markdowns at Target are 50% off for three days after the holiday, but the Chr-stmas mark down is usually dragged out longer. Some Targets have started doing a quicker mark down than in the past, so who knows this year? For the past couple of years, 75% off has started around December 31 to January 2nd. I think it depends on when the Saturday after Chr-stmas is. I plan to start checking daily myself on the 30th, since I have not seen a definitive schedule posted for this year.

Oy, I wish I could help! But, I'm not a fan of pot roast, so that is a recipe I don't have. Have you checked out www.cookingcache.com? The recipe might be in the crockpot section.